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Keys to the
Game Thursday,
December 4, 2014
By Kevin Monroe |
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East Carolina vs. Central Florida
7:30 pm | Dowdy-Ficklen
Stadium (cap. 50,000) | TV: ESPN
By
Kevin Monroe
©2013 Bonesville.net
All rights reserved.
The bowl-bound East Carolina and
Central Florida teams
will clash tonight in the regular season finale for both squads. The
challenge presented by the Knights will be one of the toughest of the
year for the Pirates.
Just one year removed
from losing first round draft pick Blake Bortles to the NFL, UCF is
right back on top. Coach George O'Leary's outfit is trying to earn a
share of the American Athletic Conference title for the second year in a
row.
Sophomore QB Justin
Holman has done a credible job in succeeding Bortles, throwing for 2,387
yards and 19 touchdowns. Offensively the Knights are good, but not
great. Defensively they have been great, and it’s this defense that has
led them to an 8-3 overall record, 6-1 in the league. UCF ranks in the
top 10 in the country in 8 defensive categories.
This game will most
likely be won or lost based on the matchup of ECU’s high-powered offense
against the Knights' brick wall defense. It won’t be easy for the
Pirates, but they can win if they follow this script:
OFFENSIVE RHYTHM AND
PACE
Anyone that has watched
East Carolina’s offense play this year knows it functions better when it
moves at a very fast pace and gets into a rhythm. If the pace starts
flowing, as soon as one play finishes the unit gets right back to the
line of scrimmage ready to run the next play. This keeps the defense
from substituting and the rapid pace will tire out the defenders. The
rhythm aspect comes from a steady mix of run and pass that keeps the
defense guessing and allows ECU’s playmakers to make things happen.
Quarterback Shane Carden is at his best when the offense is steadily
moving the chains.
STRETCH THE FIELD
The Knights have
super-fast athletes on defense. The way to take advantage of a fast
defensive unit is to keep it off balance. The Pirates will try to mix in
some screens and draw plays to offset the heavy pass rush. Running the
ball from sideline to sideline with stretch plays and sweeps will make
UCF play the entire width of the field. Wide receiver screens to the
sideline will keep the Knights from stacking the middle of the field
(the box). Once the Pirates have stretched them width-wise, it will be
time to take some shots downfield. Receiver Cam Worthy has been the deep
ball threat all year long, but Justin Hardy, Isaiah Jones and Davon
Grayson all have the ability to catch passes down the field and loosen
up the aggressive UCF defense.
PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK
UCF has recorded 28
quarterback sacks and 72 tackles for a loss. The numbers rank tops in
the American. It will be imperative for ECU to protect Carden. The
offense will not be effective if Shane doesn’t have time to throw the
football. Not only are the Knights good at rushing the passer, they are
good in the secondary as well. They have 16 interceptions and 52 pass
breakups on the season. That means that Shane has to be quick in his
decision making and accurate when he throws the pass.
BOTTOM LINE
East Carolina faces a
very good — but beatable — team tonight. The Pirates have the home field
advantage and should have a great crowd on Senior Night to send off two
of the best players in school history in Hardy and Carden. All of my
keys were offensive for ECU because it is important for the Pirates to
solve the UCF defense to win this game. It's a game that ECU can win if
it runs a fast-paced, effective offensive scheme, stretches the field
with the run and the pass, and protects Shane Carden. Get your popcorn
ready... this should be a great one!
E-mail Kevin Monroe.
PAGE UPDATED
12/04/14 03:18 AM.
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